Polk County man among soldiers shot at Fort Hood

Mulberry native Danny Ferguson was one of three soldiers killed… (Courtesy of U.S. Army )

April 5, 2014|By Susan Jacobson, Orlando Sentinel

Mulberry High School observed a moment of silence Friday for Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Ferguson, a 1993 graduate of the Polk County school who was among three soldiers shot to death Wednesday at Fort Hood, Texas, by a gunman who then committed suicide.

Athletic and all-American, Ferguson, 39, enlisted in the Army after graduation. Nearly 21 years later, students in the small community south of Lakeland said the Pledge of Allegiance in his honor.

"Danny was a great guy," said former classmate Leslie Wright, 38, who now teaches algebra and geometry at Mulberry High. "He was a quiet guy, but all of his friends will tell you he was a great friend, very loyal."

Ferguson belonged to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America and Letterman's Club, said Assistant Principal Lori Leverett, who was an art teacher when Ferguson attended the school.

He ran track and played baseball, basketball and football, friends said.

"He was just a wholesome kid," Leverett said.

Kristen Haley, a soldier at Fort Hood who said she was Ferguson's fiancée, told WTSP-Channel 10 in Tampa that Ferguson held a door shut, preventing Spc. Ivan Lopez, 34, from shooting more people. The Army has not confirmed that account.

Lopez, 34, of Puerto Rico, killed Ferguson; Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazaney-Rodriguez, 38, of Puerto Rico; and Sgt. Timothy Owens, 37, of Effingham, Ill., the Army said. He then shot himself to death. Sixteen other soldiers were wounded.

He previously was deployed to Kuwait twice, starting in 2003 and ending in 2005, to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009 and 2010 and to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012 and 2013. He earned numerous medals, including a Bronze Star and three Meritorious Service medals.

Mulberry Mayor George Hatch, an assistant principal at the high school when Ferguson attended, voiced the sentiments of many when they heard of Ferguson's death.

"It breaks my heart," he said.

Kimberly Bowling, a Mulberry High English teacher who went to school with Ferguson, said the community is proud of his commitment to his country.